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Newswise — Highlighting its nationally recognized achievements in patient safety and quality, UC San Diego Medical Center in Hillcrest was named a "Top Teaching Hospital" by The Leapfrog Group. The award is widely acknowledged as one of the most competitive honors that a U.S. hospital can receive. The designation is awarded by The Leapfrog Group, an independent hospital watchdog organization.

“We are deeply proud to be recognized by Leapfrog as part of an elite group of hospitals that meet the nation’s toughest standards for safety and quality,” said Patty Maysent, CEO, UC San Diego Health. “Hillcrest became home to UC San Diego’s first hospital more than 50 years ago. The campus represents our core mission of caring for the community and training the next generation of physicians.”

Performance across many areas of hospital care is considered in establishing the qualifications for the "Top Teaching Hospital" award, including low infection rates, exceptional maternity care and the hospital’s capacity to prevent medication errors. The rigorous standards are defined in the Top Hospital Methodology.

“UC San Diego Medical Center recently received an A safety grade by Leapfrog, which is reflective of a hospital’s safety record based on data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and other sources,” said Chris Kane, MD, CEO, UC San Diego Health Physician Group. “We are grateful to the medical and surgical teams who help make Hillcrest an extraordinary place to receive care.”

UC San Diego Medical Center in Hillcrest provides a number of key services to the region, such as an emergency department and a Level 1 Trauma Center, which includes the only Regional Burn Center. Other lifesaving resources include a Comprehensive Stroke Center, dialysis unit, neonatal intensive care unit, behavioral health care and the pioneering Owen Clinic for HIV/AIDS care. Cancer services are expanding in 2019.

UC San Diego is currently engaging the community in discussions about how the Hillcrest campus will be recreated to best serve the needs of the community for decades and generations to come.

“UC San Diego recently received approval from the UC Regents to invest $20 million in the planning process to rebuild and revitalize its Hillcrest campus,” said Maysent. “Ultimately, this could be a more than $2 billion investment in creating a beautifully designed new hospital with modern outpatient facilities, new multi-family housing, a new wellness center and open spaces. The future looks spectacular.”